Top 10 Airplane Meals
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Traditionally, airline food has been in the domain of the bland. In the past, dining at 30,000 feet has been a matter of hacking your way through overcooked meats and dunking your mashed potatoes and overcooked vegetables in over-salted, glutinous sauces. That is, if they even serve you more than the dreaded peanuts. Thankfully, this is no longer the case. More and more airlines understand that their first- and business-class passengers expect more from their airline meal -- and the carriers are delivering in spades. Read on for 10 of the best airplane meals for first-class passengers.
Up Next: Jet Airways -
Number 10 -- Jet Airways
Though fairly new to the first-class service game -- Jet Airways launched its first-class service in 2007 -- India's Jet Airways is already known as being among the best. First-class passengers can chose from a number of authentic Indian dishes, such as chicken breast in cashew cream sauce with a trio of lentils, and fantastic chappati and naan breads. Each dish is plated on hand-painted Bernardaud porcelain dinnerware and passengers are invited to build their own five-course meal and marry it with the best international wines and spirits, all served in Micassa crystal.
Up Next: Swissair -
Number 9 --Swissair
Swissair recently revamped its first-class menu and the change has been for the better. The company hired Michelin-star chef Didier Schneiter to emphasize more Swiss-style dishes, including lamb filet mignon with autumn vegetables in a cremolata sauce, and the best Swiss cheeses and wines. The emphasis here is on beautifully presented, light, fresh, and healthy dishes. Passengers can also choose from a seven-course menu, sample a few of the warm and cold dishes, or even order a quick meal in advance to leave more room for working or sleeping.
Up Next: Malaysia Airlines -
Number 8 -- Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines prides itself on delivering fully customized meals on fine Wedgewood china. Here, passengers can choose from Kosher, Halal, high-fiber, gluten-free, and vegetarian meals, which are all accompanied by the best international wines. Some of the airline's best offerings include lamb shank with Sarawak black pepper sauce, baked North Atlantic black cod and, of course, Malaysian satay. And they are all absolutely sublime. Follow up your meal with the best quality beverages -- South African Rooibos tea, designer water from Ty Nant, or even Blue Mountain coffee.
Up Next: Lufthansa -
Number 7 -- Lufthansa
Customization is also the hallmark of Lufthansa's first-class meal service. Here, guests can choose the nationality of their menu -- Chinese, Japanese and Indian are all favorites -- as well as the time at which they eat. Lufthansa's meal service is all planned by some of the world?s best chefs who update the menu every two months.
Up Next: Qatar Airlines -
Number 6 -- Qatar Airlines
You'll find some of the best first-class meals on Qatar Airways, whose menu underwent a serious overhaul in the past 18 months. Passengers can now choose a 10-course meal that normally includes caviar, lobster, prawns, Arabic mezzas, fine chocolates, and cheese platters, all served with the best New and Old World wines. One of the main-course highlights is the pan-fried chicken stuffed with feta and tomatoes, washed down with a freshly brewed cappuccino.
Up Next: Thai Airways International -
Number 5 -- Thai Airways International
If you've never enjoyed Thai Airways International's hospitality, you're in for a treat; the airline's first-class meal service is a selection of delicacies that would not be out of place in the best terrestrial restaurants. Choose from lobster thermidor, rack of lamb with rosemary sauce, and olive-marinated salmon with herb sauce. And if you're a regular flier with Thai Airways International, you need never sample the same dish twice -- the airline also regularly changes its menu selection.
Up Next: Qantas Airways Limited -
Number 4 -- Qantas Airways Limited
One of the first treats you'll enjoy in Qantas Airways first-class meal service is the caviar that precedes each meal. And while that in itself is a nice bonus, the eight courses that follow are not to be scoffed at either. Here, you'll find shitake wontons, grilled lamb cutlets in olive sauce and quince tarts served with spiced syrup and double cream -- luxurious indeed. Each of Qantas' meals is prepared fresh onboard and only the best ingredients are used.
Up Next: Singapore Airlines Limited -
Number 3 -- Singapore Airlines Limited
Upon boarding Singapore Airline's first-class cabin, passengers are faced with a difficult choice -- Dom Perignon or Krug champagne? Alas, things don't get much easier in the air, thanks to the fantastic selection of top-quality menu items prepared by a team of nine of the world's best chefs. Choose from Korean-style eel fillet or Wagyu beef -- all served on Givenchy china. And if you're feeling a bit peckish later on, you're welcome to select from the in-flight snack menu, or sip some of the best gourmet coffees.
Up Next: Cathay Pacific Airways Limited -
Number 2 -- Cathay Pacific Airways Limited
Freshness isn't usually a term associated with even the best airline meals, but Cathay Pacific seems to have a handle on what it takes to deliver top-quality food at altitude. All first-class cabins are equipped with rice cookers, skillets and toasters, ensuring that all the superb Asian and international dishes are made fresh to order. And if it's a between-meal snack you?re after, you?re free to raid the cabin's fridge, which is stocked with sandwiches and other great snacks.
Up Next: Gulf Air -
Number 1 -- Gulf Air
Gulf Air's first-class meal service was recently rated the best in the world and with good reason: theirs is the only airline with a chef on board. While airline staff normally and methodically heats up each meal before service, Gulf Air ensures that a professional chef oversees every aspect of preparation. The result is top-quality dishes like honey-glazed quail on a sweet potato cake or Arabic spiced veal ragout.
Up Next: Mile-High Meals -
Mile-High Meals
Airline food that no longer tastes like cardboard -- what a novel idea. The first-class travel experience just got a whole lot better, thanks to a renewed focus on the best food and drink.
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